Hensley Beverage Co competitors

Gene Lee was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc. in February 2015 after serving as Interim CEO since October 2014. Gene brings more than 30 years of restaurant operating experience to the role, which ranges from early stage high-growth concepts to large high-volume chains.

Paul Kruse is a CEO and President at Blue Bell Creameries.

Mark was selected by the Blue Diamond Growers Board of Directors to become President and Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2010. Under Mark’s leadership, Blue Diamond has transformed into a $1.6 billion global branded food manufacturer with sales up +225%, and even greater growth in profitability. Fueling this success was a driving sense of purpose to support the economic sustainability of the 3,000 mostly small, multi-generational farms that entrust Blue Diamond with their year’s work in the form of the almond crop. With a unique understanding of the branded retail, ingredients and food service businesses, Mark’s career achievements include leading the brand growth for Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Totino’s, Pillsbury, Red Baron, Freschetta, Blue Diamond and Almond Breeze. Prior to joining Blue Diamond, Mark was president of Schwan’s Food Service in Marshall, Minnesota, where he led the profitable turnaround of the division. He also worked for The Pillsbury Company, Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. and General Mills, Inc. Mark received his MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in 1994. Mark is 2nd Vice Chair of California Chamber of Commerce, former Chair of the Audit Committee and Chair of the International Forum, is on the Executive Council for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, is on the Board of Trustees for the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, is on the Board of Trustees for the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Learning, and is a Board Member and previous Vice Chair of the Almond Board of California. Mark believes eating good food, getting regular exercise and living a healthy spiritual life are the best medicine and critical to a sense of well-being.

Ned Lyerly was named Chief Executive Officer in April 2019, heading two brands, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., with a global footprint of over 3,900 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Lyerly leads CKE’s overarching business, people and development strategies to drive growth and profitability, bringing more than 35 years of restaurant operating experience to the role. Previously, Lyerly was the company’s President, International, responsible for the growth of the CKE international footprint to 900+ restaurants. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development where he oversaw franchise development for the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands in the United States and around the world. Over his 35 year career with CKE, Lyerly has held positions in many functional disciplines including: Senior Vice President International, Vice President International, Director - International Finance and Marketing, Director - Domestic Finance (Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.) Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (Imasco USA, Inc. / Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.). Lyerly is a Certified Franchise Executive and currently serves as a member of the International Franchise Association’s International Leadership Council. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.